Govt bans international flights for a week from Sunday as virus spreads
With one more death due to coronavirus having been reported, taking the toll to four, and the number of cases increasing, the government Thursday announced a week-long closure of all scheduled international flights to and from India to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions will be in place from March 22 to 29.
The number of cases detected rose to 173, with 20 fresh ones reported in the past 24 hours, mostly affecting people with a history of international travel. The fourth death was reported in Punjab. An Indian died of coronavirus in Iran.
The health ministry also advised, and asked state governments to issue instructions to the same effect, all citizens above 65 and children below 10 to stay at home. The exceptions in the case of senior citizens are public representatives, government servants, and medical professionals.
